Adjustable mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable mounting assembly has first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion has an engagement arm with an adjustable end having first engagement teeth disposed about a first axis of rotation. The end portion has an adjustable second portion rotatable about the first axis of rotation, and having second engagement teeth that intermesh with the first engagement teeth to retain the second portion in an adjustable pan-position. The second portion has third engagement teeth disposed about a second axis of rotation angularly offset from the first axis of rotation. A second mounting portion is adjustably attached at an attachment portion to the first mounting portion, and the attachment portion has fourth engagement teeth disposed about the second axis of rotation that intermesh with the third engagement teeth to retain the second mounting portion is a selected tilt position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to mountingassemblies, and more particularly to adjustable mounting assembliesuseable with mounted devices, including audio and/or visual equipment.

BACKGROUND

Adjustable mounting brackets of the prior art have used gimbaled jointsand other ball-and-socket joints that hold the mounted object in aselected orientation. These ball-and-socket joints and gimbaled joints,however, typically have smooth engagement surfaces and rely on pressureand frictional engagement between the ball and socket to resist movementof the mounted device away from the selected orientation. Theseconfigurations are often victim to uneven and/or excessive pressure inthe joint that can break or cause excessive wear on the joint over time.Such excessive joint wear reduces the joint's capacity to securely holdthe mounted object without slip or creep away from the selectedorientation, thereby eventually rendering the joint ineffective.

Conventional ball-and-socket joints and other gimbal joints typicallycan only support a limited amount of weight due to the interface at thejoint structure. Such weight limit restrictions can often requireover-sized structures, which can increase the bracket's footprint andthe mounting bracket's cost. U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,859 discloses animproved clamping arrangement for a mounting assembly, but the clampingarrangement still has limitations. Accordingly, there is a need for animproved adjustable mounting assembly for use with, as an example, audioand/or visual equipment and other mounted devices.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to adjustable mounting assembliesthat overcome drawbacks experienced in the prior art and providesadditional benefits. At least one embodiment of the present disclosureprovides an adjustable mounting assembly configured for coupling amounted device to a support structure. The mounting assembly has a firstmounting portion with a mounting member fixable to the supportstructure. An engagement arm is adjustably connected to the mountingmember and has a support portion spaced apart from the mounting member.The support portion has first engagement members disposed about a firstaxis of rotation angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of theengagement arm. An adjustment member is attached to the support portionof the engagement arm and is rotatable relative to the support portionabout the first axis of rotation. The adjustment member has secondengagement members disposed about the first axis of rotation. Theadjustment member has a first locked position with the second engagementmembers intermeshed with the first engagement members to retain theadjustment member in a first pan-position relative to the supportportion and to restrict the adjustment member from rotating relative tothe support portion away from the first pan-position. The adjustmentmember has a first released position wherein the first and secondengagement members are adjacent to each other and positioned to allowthe adjustment member to rotate relative to the support portion aboutthe first axis of rotation to a second pan-position. The adjustmentmember has an arcuate first engagement portion facing away from thesupport portion and third engagement members disposed on the firstengagement portion about a second axis of rotation angularly offset fromthe first axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis.

A second mounting portion is coupleable to the mounted device and has anattachment portion adjustably connected to the first mounting portion.The attachment portion has an arcuate second engagement portion inmating arrangement with the first engagement portion of the adjustmentmember. The attachment portion has fourth engagement members disposed onthe second engagement portion about the second axis of rotation. Thesecond mounting portion has a second locked position with the fourthengagement members intermeshed with the third engagement members torestrict the second engagement surface from moving about the second axisof rotation relative to the first engagement surface. The secondmounting portion has a second released position wherein the third andfourth engagement members are adjacent to each other and positioned toallow the second engagement surface to rotate relative to the firstengagement surface about the second axis of rotation.

A locking device is connected to the first and second mounting portions.The locking device releasably locks the third and fourth engagementmembers together with the second mounting portion in a first tiltposition relative to the first mounting portion, and restricts thesecond mounting portion from rotating relative to the first mountingportion about the second axis of rotation. The locking member ismoveable to a released position that allows the second mounting portionto move about the second axis of rotation to a second tilt positionrelative to the first mounting portion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an adjustable mountingassembly having a first mounting portion with a mounting member fixableto the support structure. The first mounting portion has an engagementarm connected to the mounting member. The engagement arm has anadjustable end portion spaced apart from the mounting member, the endportion having first engagement members disposed about a first axis ofrotation angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the engagementarm. The end portion has an adjustable second portion rotatable relativeto the first portion about the first axis of rotation. The secondportion has second engagement members. The second portion has a firstlocked position with the second engagement members intermeshed with thefirst engagement members to retain the second portion in a firstpan-position, and a first released position wherein the first and secondengagement members are adjacent to each other and positioned to allowthe second portion to rotate relative to the first portion to a secondpan-position. The second portion has third engagement members disposedabout a second axis of rotation angularly offset from the first axis ofrotation.

A second mounting portion coupleable to the mounted device is adjustablyattached at an attachment portion to the first mounting portion. Theattachment portion is in mating arrangement with the second portion ofthe first engagement surface, and the attachment portion has fourthengagement members disposed about the second axis of rotation. Thesecond mounting portion has a second locked position with the fourthengagement members intermeshed with the third engagement members. Thesecond mounting portion has a second released position wherein the thirdand fourth engagement members are adjacent to each other and arepositioned to allow the second engagement surface to rotate relative tothe first engagement surface about the second axis of rotation.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an audio or visual equipmentmounting assembly with a first mounting portion having a mounting memberfixable to a support structure. An engagement arm is connected to themounting member and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. Theengagement arm has an intermediate portion projecting away from themounting member and a distal end portion connected to the intermediateportion. The distal end portion has first engagement members disposedabout a second axis of rotation angularly offset from the first axis ofrotation. An adjustment member is attached to the distal end portion,wherein the adjustment member is rotatable relative to the distal endportion about the second axis of rotation. The adjustment member hassecond engagement members disposed about the second axis of rotation andthat mate with the first engagement members.

The adjustment member has a first locked position with the first andsecond engagement members intermeshed with each other releasably fixingthe adjustment member in a first rotational position and restricting theadjustment member from rotating about the second axis of rotation awayfrom the first rotational position. The adjustment member has a firstreleased position wherein the first and second engagement members arepositioned to allow the adjustment member to rotate relative to thedistal end portion about the second axis of rotation to a secondrotational position. The adjustment member has an exterior surfacefacing away from the distal end portion and third engagement members aredisposed in an arcuate pattern about a third axis of rotation angularlyoffset from the first and second axes of rotation.

A second mounting portion coupleable to the audio or visual equipmenthas an attachment portion adjustably attached to the adjustment memberof the first mounting portion. The attachment portion has fourthengaging members disposed in an arcuate pattern relative to the thirdaxis of rotation for mating with the third engagement members. Thesecond mounting portion has a second locked position with the fourthengagement members intermeshed with the third engagement members torestrict the attachment portion from moving relative to the adjustmentmember about the third axis of rotation. The second mounting portion hasa second released position wherein the third and fourth engagementmembers are adjacent to each other and positioned to allow theattachment portion to move relative to the adjustment member about thethird axis of rotation. A locking device is connected to the secondmounting portion and releasably secures the second mounting portion inthe second locked position. The locking member is moveable to anunlocked position that allows the second mounting portion to move aboutthe third axis of rotation.

Another embodiment provides a speaker mounting assembly configured foradjustably interconnecting a speaker to a support structure. The speakermounting assembly has a first mounting portion having a mounting platefixable to the support structure. An engagement arm has first and secondend portions, and the first end portion is adjustably attached to themounting plate. The engagement arm is rotatable relative to the mountingplate about a first axis of rotation substantially normal to themounting plate. The second end portion is spaced apart from the mountingplate. A first locking device is connected to the mounting plate and tothe first end of the engagement arm. The locking device releasablyrestricts the engagement arm from rotating about the first axis ofrotation relative to the mounting plate.

An adjustable spherical engagement ball portion has first and secondball portions, and the first ball portion is integrally connected to thesecond end portion of the engagement arm. The first ball portion has anengagement surface substantially parallel to the first axis of rotationand has a plurality of first gear teeth disposed about a second axis ofrotation substantially normal to the first axis of rotation. The secondball portion is rotatably attached to the first ball portion and isrotatable relative to the first ball portion and the engagement armabout the second axis of rotation. The second ball portion has aplurality of second gear teeth that releasably interconnect with thefirst gear teeth. The second ball portion has a locked position with thefirst and second gear teeth intermeshed to prevent the second a ballportion from rotating relative to the first ball portion. The secondball portion has a released position in which the second ball portion isrotatably adjustable relative to the first ball portion. The second ballportion has a first arcuate engagement portion with plurality of thirdgear teeth projecting away from the first ball portion. A second lockingmechanism releasably engages the first and second ball portions. Thelocking mechanism is moveable between a first engaged position and afirst unlocked position. The first locking mechanism in the firstengaged position securely locks the first and second ball portionstogether in the first locking position with the first and second gearteeth intermeshed to prevent rotation of the second ball portionrelative to the first ball portion. The second ball portion is rotatablerelative to the first ball portion when the first locking mechanism isin the first unlocked position.

A second mounting portion is adjustably attached to the first mountingportion. The second mounting portion has an attachment portion with aplurality of flanges that define an X-shape. The attachment portion hasa speaker side opposite a support structure side. The attachment portionhas a plurality of alignment tabs and a locking tab projecting from thespeaker-side. The second mounting portion has a ball-receiving portionattached to and projecting from the support structure side of theattachment portion. The ball receiving portion has a substantiallyconcave interior area and a second arcuate engagement portion withplurality of fourth gear teeth projecting therefrom and disposed in theinterior area, wherein the second ball portion is disposed within theinterior area with the first and second arcuate engagement portionsconnected to each other with the plurality of third gear teethintermeshed with the plurality of fourth gear teeth.

The ball receiving portion is rotatable relative to the second ballportion about a third axis of rotation normal to the second axis ofrotation and positionable normal to the first axis of rotation. The ballreceiving portion is movable between an adjustment position and a fixedposition, wherein the ball receiving portion in the adjustment positionis movable about the third axis of rotation and in a direction parallelto the second arcuate engagement portion with the plurality of fourthgear teeth movable over the plurality of third gear teeth. Theball-receiving portion in the fixed position has the fourth gear teethintermeshed with the third gear teeth of the second ball portion,wherein the third and fourth gear teeth lock the ball receiving portionand the second ball together restricting the ball receiving portion frommoving about the third axis of rotation relative to the second ballportion. The ball receiving portion has substantially convex exteriorarea opposite the interior area, and a pair of spaced apart alignmentflanges project away from the exterior area to define an arcuate channelin parallel alignment with the second arcuate engagement portion and theplurality of fourth gear teeth.

A locking device is attached to the ball receiving portion andreleasably secures the ball receiving portion in engagement with thesecond ball portion. The locking device has a lock member releasablycoupled to the engagement ball portion and has an arcuate pressuredistribution member attached to a portion of the lock member andslidably disposed on the convex exterior area within the arcuate channelbetween the spaced apart alignment flanges. The locking device ismovable between locked and released positions. When the locking deviceis in the locked position, the ball receiving portion is held in firmengagement with the second ball portion with the plurality of third andfourth teeth intermeshed to prevent the ball receiving portion frommoving about the third axis of rotation relative to the second ballportion. When the locking device is in the released position, the ballreceiving portion is movable about the third axis of rotation in adirection parallel with the arcuate channel for adjustment of a tiltposition of the speaker relative to the first mounting portion. In oneembodiment, when the locking device is in the released position, theball receiving portion is movable about the second and third axes ofrotation for adjustment of a tilt position of the speaker relative tothe first mounting portion.

A mounting tray is removably attachable to the speaker, and the mountingtray has a substantially planar wall portion and a plurality ofretention portions spaced apart from the wall portion, wherein the wallportion and the retention portions define an insertion track. The wallportion has a plurality of elongated alignment slots and a locking slot,wherein the attachment portion is slidable disposed in the insertiontrack with the alignment tabs slidably disposed in the alignment slotsand the locking tab slidably disposed in the locking slot. The alignmentportion is movable relative to the mounting tray when the alignment tabsand locking tab are in the alignment slots and locking slot,respectively, between first and second positions. The alignment portionin the first position has the plurality of flanges in an overlappedarrangement with the retention portions, whereby the retention portionsblock the alignment portion from moving in a direction normal to theplanar wall portion and out of the mounting tray. The alignment portionin the second position has the plurality of flanges out of overlappingalignment with the retention portions, whereby the alignment portion arefree to move in the normal direction relative to the planar wall portionfor removal from the mounting tray.

A retention device is coupled to a speaker-side of the wall portion, andan anchor portion of the retention device is secured to the wallportion. A free end portion is positioned adjacent to the speaker-sideof the wall portion. The free end portion is movable relative to thewall portion between a locking position and a release position. Theretention device has a pair of biasing members that resiliently bias theretention device toward the locking position. The retention device has aretention tab extending at least partially into the locking slot whenthe free portion of the retention device is in the locking position,wherein the retention tab is substantially out of the locking slot whenthe free portion of the retention device is in the release position. Theretention tab in the locking position is positioned adjacent to thelocking tab in the locking slot when the alignment portion is in thefirst position. The retention tab in the locking position blocks thelocking tab from sliding within the locking slot, thereby blocking thealignment portion from moving away from the first position. The lockingtab is free to slide within the locking slot when the retention tab isin the released position, thereby allowing the alignment portion to moveto the second position for removal of the attachment portion from themounting tray.

A release mechanism is coupled to the wall portion adjacent to theinsertion track and positioned to engage a portion of the retentiondevice. The release mechanism is moveable relative to the wall portionbetween first and second positions. The release mechanism in the firstposition is adjacent to the portion of the retention device and allowsthe free end portion of the retention device to be in the lockingposition. The release mechanism in the second position engages theportion of the retention device and releasably holds the retentiondevice in the release position.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an adjustable mountingassembly comprising a first mounting portion having mounting memberfixable to the support structure or the mounted device. A supportportion is spaced apart from the mounting member and has firstengagement members disposed about a first axis of rotation angularlyoffset from the longitudinal axis. An adjustment member is attached tothe support portion and is rotatable relative to the support portionabout the first axis of rotation. The adjustment member has secondengagement members disposed about the first axis of rotation. Theadjustment member has a first locked position with the second engagementmembers intermeshed with the first engagement members to retain theadjustment member in a first pan-position relative to the supportportion and to restrict the adjustment member from rotating away fromthe first pan-position. The adjustment member has a first releasedposition, wherein the first and second engagement members are positionedto allow the adjustment member to rotate relative to the support portionabout the first axis of rotation to a second pan-position. Theadjustment member has a first engagement portion facing away from thesupport portion. Third engagement members are disposed on the firstengagement portion about a second axis of rotation angularly offset fromthe first axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis.

A second mounting portion has an attachment portion adjustably attachedto the first mounting portion. The attachment portion has a secondengagement portion in mating arrangement with the first engagementportion of the adjustment member. The attachment portion has fourthengagement members disposed on the second engagement portion about thesecond axis of rotation. The second mounting portion has a second lockedposition with the fourth engagement members intermeshed with the thirdengagement members to retain the second mounting portion in a first tiltposition relative to the first mounting portion and to restrict thesecond engagement surface from moving about the second axis of rotationaway from the first tilt position. The second mounting portion has asecond released position wherein the third and fourth engagement membersare adjacent to each other and positioned to allow the second engagementsurface to rotate relative to the first engagement surface about thesecond axis of rotation to a second tilt position relative to the firstmounting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an adjustable mounting assembly foruse with a mounted device, such as a speaker, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the adjustable mountingassembly of FIG. 1 shown separated from the speaker.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 2shown against a support structure.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the first mountingportion that engages a concave receiving portion of the mountingassembly's second mounting portion.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of a first mounting portion ofthe mounting assembly of FIG. 2 shown removed from the support structureand the second mounting portion of the assembly.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the first mounting portion of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the firstmounting portion of FIG. 2 with an upper pan/tilt adjustment membershown removed from the engagement arm's partially spherical end portion.

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the firstmounting portion of FIG. 6 with the upper pan/tilt adjustment membershown removed and inverted from the engagement arm's partially sphericalend portion.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 2 shownwith the first and second mounting portions of the mounting assembly indifferent pan and tilt orientations.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of the mountingassembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the secondmounting portion of FIG. 2 with an attachment portion shown separatedfrom a mounting tray.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the secondmounting portion of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting tray of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the attachment portion of FIG. 11positioned in the mounting tray in a released position.

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of the attachment portion of FIG. 11positioned in the mounting tray in an retained position.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 2showing the retention mechanism on the front side of the mounting tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes an adjustable mounting assembly inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. Several specificdetails of the embodiments are set forth in the following descriptionand the Figures to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presentinvention may have additional embodiments, and that other embodiments ofthe invention may be practiced without several of the specific featuresdescribed below.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an adjustable mounting assembly 10in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theadjustable mounting assembly 10 attaches at its forward end 12 to aselected mounted device. The adjustable mounting assembly 10 is shown inFIG. 1 and described herein for purposes of discussion as being attachedat its forward end 12 to a speaker assembly 14. The mounting assembly10, however, can be attached to other mounted devices, such as audioequipment, visual equipment, or other selected equipment or devices tobe mounted to a supporting structure. The mounting assembly 10 has amounting plate 16 at its rear end that mounts to the support structure18 (FIG. 3), such as a wall, post, ceiling, or other supporting feature.Accordingly, the mounting assembly 10 interconnects the speaker 14 tothe support structure 18 while allowing adjustment of the speaker'sangular orientation relative to the support structure 18. As discussedin greater detail below, the mounting assembly 10 can be adjusted aboutthree axes of rotation to allow for pan, tilt, and/or twist adjustmentof the speaker 14, and then secured in a releasably locked positionrelative to the support structure 18, so as to avoid creep or slipage ofspeaker's position over time.

FIG. 2 an enlarged rear perspective view of the mounting assembly 10 ofFIG. 1 shown removed from the speaker 14 (FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a frontperspective view of the mounting assembly 10 shown against a supportstructure 18. The mounting assembly 10 has a first mounting portion 20with the mounting plate 16 configured to securely fix the first mountingportion 20 to the support structure 18. The first mounting portion 20has an engagement arm 22 that projects from the mounting plate 16 andadjustably mates with a second mounting portion 24 that, in turn,attaches to the speaker 14. The first mounting portion 20 will bediscussed first, followed by a discussion of the second mounting portion24.

The first mounting portion 20 of the illustrated embodiment mounts flushagainst the support structure 18 via the mounting plate 16 and fastenersthat fix the mounting plate to the support structure. The engagement arm22 projects away from the mounting plate 16 along its longitudinal axis25. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement arm 22 is generallyperpendicular to the mounting plate 16. In other embodiments, however,the engagement arm 22 can be oriented at a selected angle relative tothe mounting plate 16.

The engagement arm 22 has a rear end portion 28 rotatably attached tothe mounting plate for rotation about a first axis of rotation 26. Thefirst axis of rotation 26 substantially corresponds to the engagementarm's longitudinal axis 25. The rear end portion 28 of the illustratedembodiment projects through an aperture 30 in the mounting plate 16. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the arm's rear end portion 28 has a flange 32adjacent to the aperture 30 and positioned in an overlapping arrangementwith the rear surface 34 of the mounting plate 16. The flange 32 has anarcuate slot 35 that aligns with a hole 37 in the mounting plate 16adjacent to the aperture 30. A locking mechanism 36 extends through thehole 37 and the flange's slot 35 to releasably lock the engagement arm22 in a selected angular orientation relative to the mounting plate. Thelocking mechanism 36 shown in FIG. 4 is a threaded fastener and nutarrangement. The locking mechanism 36 can be tightened to a lockedposition that prevents the engagement arm 22 from rotating, and can beloosened to an unlocked position that allows the engagement arm 22 torotate about the first axis of rotation 26. The locking mechanism 36 inother embodiments can be other locking features moveable between lockedand unlocked positions to restrict or allow rotation of the engagementarm 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the slot 35 in the flangedefines the engagement arm's range of rotation about the first axis ofrotation 26. This rotational adjustment of the engagement arm 22 allowsfor adjustment of the “twist” position of the second mounting portion 24and the associated speaker 14 (or other mounted device) relative to thesupport structure 18 (FIG. 3). In at least one embodiment, theengagement arm 22 can be rotated about the first axis of rotation 26through a range of approximately 20-30°. Other embodiments can provideother ranges of motion, including up to 360° about the first axis ofrotation 26. The engagement arm 22 and/or the mounting plate 16 canprovide indicia that indicate the angular orientation of the engagementarm 22. In the illustrated embodiment, visual indicators are provided onthe engagement arm's rearward end 28 and on the mounting plate 16adjacent to the aperture 30 so as to allow a user to visually identifywhere the engagement arm is within its range of angular orientation.

The mounting assembly's configuration that allows for adjustment of thespeaker's twist position can be very beneficial in many applications. Inother applications, such adjustment of the twist position may not beneeded. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the engagement arm 22 can befixed to the mounting plate 16 in a non-rotatable configuration. Theengagement arm 22 may be a separate component securely fixed to themounting plate 16. Alternatively, the engagement arm 22 can beintegrally connected to the mounting plate 16, thereby rendering thelocking mechanism 36 unnecessary.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the engagement arm 22 is cantilevered relativeto the mounting plate 16 with the arm's forward end portion 40 spacedapart from the rearward end portion 28 by an intermediate segment 42.The forward end portion 40 has a supporting portion 44 integrallyconnected or otherwise securely fixed to the intermediate segment 42.The forward end portion 40 also has a pan/tilt adjustment member 46rotatably disposed on the supporting portion 44. The pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 is rotatable relative to the supporting portion 44 about asecond axis of rotation 48 oriented at a selected orientation relativeto the first axis of rotation 26. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond axis of rotation 48 is substantially normal to the first axis ofrotation 26.

The engagement arm's supporting portion 44 and the pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 are each semi-spherical members that together form a ballstructure at the forward free end 40 of the engagement arm 22. Althoughthe illustrated embodiment provides a ball structure at the engagementarm's free end, the supporting portion 44 and/or the pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 in other embodiments can have other shapes or configurationswhile still achieving the support and the pan/tilt orientationadjustment of the mounting assembly 10.

As seen in FIG. 7, the supporting portion 44 has a generally circularupper surface 50 and a central boss 54 projecting away from the uppersurface 50. The supporting portion 44 also has a plurality of gear teethor serrations 52 projecting from the upper surface 50 and being disposedaround the central boss 54. The central boss 54 and the serrations 52are each symmetrically disposed about the second axis of rotation 48. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the serrations 52 are arranged in an annularconfiguration on the upper surface 50 radially outward of the centralboss 54, so that the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 can smoothly rotatearound the central boss 54, and about the second axis of rotation 48.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 hasa central aperture 60 extending away from the member's bottom surface56. The central aperture 60 is sized to closely receive the supportingportion's central boss 54. The bottom surface 56 also has a plurality ofgear teeth or serrations 62 disposed in an annular pattern about thecentral aperture 60. The serrations 62 on the pan/tilt adjustment member46 are shaped and sized to intermesh with the serrations 52 on thesupporting portion's upper surface 50.

The pan/tilt adjustment member 46 is movable relative to the supportingportion 44 between released and locked positions. When the pan/tiltadjustment member 46 is in the locked position, it is held securelyagainst the supporting portion with the first and second serrations 52and 62 intermesh with each other. This intermeshed interface between themating serrations prevents the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 frominadvertently rotating about the second axis of rotation 48.Accordingly, this intermeshed engagement of the serrations 52 and 62provides a mechanical locking arrangement between the pan/tiltadjustment member 46 and the supporting portion 44 to prevent unwantedslip or movement of the speaker 14 about the second axis of rotation 48when in the locked position. When the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 isin the released position, the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 is allowedto move normally away from the supporting portion's upper surface 50, sothe serrations 62 and 52 are not intermeshed or are allowed to move awayfrom the intermeshed configuration. Accordingly, the pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 can rotate about the central boss 54 and about the second axisof rotation 48 when in the released position.

The number of teeth forming each of the set of serrations 52 and 62 canbe selected to control the degree of adjustability of the pan-position.For example, a greater number of teeth in each of the set of serrations52 and 62 provide for a larger or more granular degree of adjustabilityof the mounting assembly's pan-position. Conversely, a smaller number ofteeth in each of the set of serrations 52 and 62 provides for a morerough degree of adjustability of the mounting assembly's pan-position.

The pan/tilt adjustment member 46 allows for pan adjustment of thesecond mounting portion 24 (and the associated speaker 14 or othermounted device) about the second axis of rotation 48 through a selectedrange of angles. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and secondmounting portions 20 and 24 are sized and configured for pan adjustmentthrough a rotational range of approximately 50-55° about the second axisof rotation 48. Other embodiments can provide other ranges of rotation.As an example, a mounting assembly with a longer engagement arm 22 maybe configured for pan adjustment through a rotational range ofapproximately 180° or more. In yet another embodiment, the first andsecond mounting portions 20 and 24 may be configured to allow for a full360° pan adjustment via the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 about thesecond axis of rotation 48.

As seen in FIG. 7, the illustrated pan/tilt adjustment member 46 has aconvex, semi-spherical upper surface 63 and a plurality of gear teeth orserrations 64 projecting radially away from the upper surface 63. Theserrations 64 are arranged in a partially cylindrical pattern and aredisposed about a third axis of rotation 66, which is substantiallynormal to the second axis of rotation 48. The third axis of rotation 66can also be perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 26 dependingupon the angular orientation of the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 atopthe supporting portion 44. The serrations 64 form an arcuate,tilt-adjustment engagement portion that mates with and releasably lockswith the second mounting portion 24 of the mounting assembly 10,discussed in greater detail below. While the illustrated embodimentprovides a semi-spherical pan/tilt adjustment member 46 with the upperserrations 64 disposed in a partially cylindrical arrangement, thepan/tilt adjustment member 46 can have an upper surface with a differentshape that still supports the serrations 64 in an arcuate pattern foradjustment of the mounting assembly's tilt position about the third axisof rotation 66.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second mounting portion 24 has asemi-spherical, concave receiving portion 70 that adjustably mates withthe ball-shaped forward end portion 40 of the first mounting portion 20in a serration-enhanced, ball-and-socket joint configuration. Thereceiving portion 70 has an interior surface 72 and a plurality of gearteeth or serrations 74 projecting away from the interior surface 72. Theserrations 74 are arranged in an arcuate configuration that mates withthe serrations 64 on the upper surface 63 of the pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 when the ball end of the engagement arm 22 is received in theconcave receiving portion 70. In this arrangement, the serrations 74 inthe receiving portion 70 are disposed about the third axis of rotation66 and positioned to intermesh with the serrations 64 on the pan/tiltadjustment member 46.

The concave receiving portion 70 is movable about the third axis ofrotation 66 over the pan/tilt adjustment member 46. This allows the tiltposition of the second mounting portion 24 to be angularly adjustedrelative to the first mounting portion 20 through a selected range oftilt angles. The tilt position of the second mounting portion 24 can beadjusted independently of the pan-position or twist position of thefirst and/or second mounting portions 20 and 24.

The concave receiving portion 70 is movable relative to the pan/tiltadjustment member 46 between a released, adjustment position and alocked, fixed position. When the receiving portion 70 is in thereleased, adjustment position, the concave portion 70 can be moved aboutthe third axis of rotation 66 over the convex surface of the pan/tiltadjustment member 46. Accordingly, the serrations 74 in the receivingportion 70 can move over the serrations 64 on the upper surface of thepan/tilt adjustment member 46 until the selected tilt position of thesecond mounting portion 24 is achieved. When the receiving portion 70 isin the locked, fixed position, the receiving portion 70 is held in firmengagement with the pan/tilt adjustment member 46, such that theserrations 64 and 74 are securely intermeshed with each other. Thisintermeshed arrangement of the serrations 64 and 74 in the locks, fixedposition provides a mechanical locking arrangement between the pan/tiltadjustment member 46 and receiving portion 70 to prevent unwanted slip,creep, or movement of the second mounting portion 24 about the thirdaxis of rotation 66 away from the selected tilt position. Accordingly,this intermeshed configuration provides a positive mechanical engagementthat between the first and second mounting portion 20 and 24 to reliablymaintain the selected tilt position for the speaker or other mounteddevice relative to the first mounting portion 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving portion 70 and the pan/tiltadjustment member 46 with their respective serrations 74 and 64 providetilt adjustments about the third axis of rotation 66 through a range ofapproximately 35-40°. In one embodiment, the receiving portion 70 andpan/tilt adjustment member 46 are configured to provide tilt adjustmentsthrough a range of approximately 37°. Other embodiments can beconfigured to allow for a larger or smaller range of tilt angleadjustments.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting assembly 10 has a locking mechanism 76that releasably interconnects the receiving portion 70 of the secondmounting portion 24 with the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 of the firstmounting portion 20. The locking mechanism 76 is also configured tosecurely hold the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 against the supportingportion 44.

The locking mechanism 76 extends through an elongated slot 78 formed inthe receiving portion 70 in alignment with the serrations 74 on theinterior surface 72. The locking mechanism 76 also extends throughcoaxially aligned apertures 80 and 82 in each of the pan/tilt adjustmentmember 46 and the supporting portion 44, respectively. In theillustrated embodiment, the locking portion is substantially axiallyaligned with the second axis of rotation 48.

The locking mechanism 76 is movable between locked and releasedpositions. When the locking mechanism 76 is in the locked position, itfirmly squeezes the receiving portion 70, the pan/tilt adjustment member46 and the supporting portion 44 together along the second axis ofrotation. Accordingly, the receiving portion 70 is held in the fixedposition in firm engagement with the pan/tilt adjustment member 46, withthe respective serrations 74 and 64 in the intermeshed arrangement,thereby preventing unwanted tilting motion of the receiving portionrelative to the pan adjustment portion. The locking mechanism 76 in thelocked position also securely holds the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 infirm engagement with the supporting portion, with the serrations 52 and62 in firm engagement in the intermeshed configuration, therebypreventing unwanted rotation of the pan/tilt adjustment member about thesecond axis of rotation 48.

When the locking mechanism 76 is in the released position, the receivingportion 70 can move axially by a selected distance away from thepan/tilt adjustment member 46 to its adjustment position so as to allowfor angular movement of the receiving portion 70 about the third axis ofrotation, thereby adjusting the tilt angle position of the secondmounting portion 24. In addition, the locking mechanism in the releasedposition allows the pan/tilt adjustment member 46 to move axially by aselected distance away from the supporting portion 44. This allows thepan/tilt adjustment member 46 to be rotated about the second axis ofrotation 48, thereby adjusting the pan-position of the second mountingportion 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 76 includes athreaded shaft 84 that mates with a threaded nut 86 on the bottom sideof the supporting portion 44 opposite the pan/tilt adjustment member 46.Accordingly, the locking mechanism 76 can move between the locked andreleased positions by tightening or loosening the threaded shaft 84 andmating nut 86. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of arcuate flanges90 project from the top surface of the receiving portion 70 and aredisposed on opposite sides of the slot 78 to define an arcuate channel92. The locking mechanism 76 includes a pressure distribution member 94positioned in the channel 92 between the flanges 90. In the illustratedembodiment, the pressure distribution member 94 is an arcuate washersecurely captured between the shaft's enlarged head 96 and the topsurface of the receiving portion 70. When the locking mechanism 76 ismoved to the locked position, the enlarged head 96 presses firmlyagainst the pressure distribution member 94, which better distributesthe locking forces over the receiving portion 70 to maximize theintermeshed engagement of the serrations 74 and 64. This configurationalso provides a substantially even pressure distribution between thepan/tilt adjustment member 46 and the supporting portion 44 of the firstmounting portion 20.

Although the illustrated embodiment uses a threaded shaft member, suchas a bolt and nut, other embodiments can use other locking mechanisms toretain the first and second mounting portions 20 and 24 in theintermeshed engagements to prevent unwanted movement in the mountingassembly 10. In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism 76 can bea locking device, such as an over-center locking cam system that doesnot require additional tools for movement between the locked andreleased positions.

The illustrated arrangement of the first and second mounting portions 20and 24 allows for pan, tilt, and twist adjustment of the mountingassembly 10 about the first, second, and/or third axes of rotation,while eliminating slip or creep over time. The configuration also allowsfor repetitive adjustment of the first and second mounting portionspositions relative to each other over time without substantivedegradation to the holding power of the mounting assembly 10 in theselected pan, tilt, and/or twist position of the mounted device relativeto the first mounting portion 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the second mounting portion 24 has anattachment structure 100 integrally connected to the receiving portion70 opposite the first mounting portion 20. The attachment structure 100is removably received in a mounting tray 102 that attaches to thespeaker 14 (FIG. 1) or other mounted device. The mounting tray 102 has aplurality of fastener apertures 140 that receive fasteners that may beused to fix the mounting tray 102 to the speaker 14 or other mounteddevice.

In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment structure 100 includes aplurality of flanges 104 that define an X-shape. The flanges 104 canhave stiffening members 106 that increase the stiffness and strength ofthe flanges 104. Other embodiments can have the attachment structure 100with different shapes or configurations that may or may not include thestiffening members 106.

As shown in FIG. 13, the attachment structure 100 is releasably attachedto the mounting tray 102 so the mounting tray 102, and the associatedspeaker or other mounted device can be easily separated from theattachment structure 100. The mounting tray 102 has a plurality ofretention members 110 spaced apart from a substantially planar frontwall 108 to define a generally X-shaped insertion track 112. Theinsertion track 112 is configured to slidably receive the flanges 104,so that the attachment structure 100 can be moved in the insertion track112 between released and retained positions. When the attachmentstructure 100 is in the insertion track 112 and in the releasedposition, as shown in FIG. 14, the retention members 110 do not overlapthe flanges 104, so the attachment structure 100 can move freelyperpendicular relative to the front wall 108 without interferencebetween the flanges 104 and the retention members 110. Accordingly, theattachment structure 100 can be lifted out of the mounting tray 102 whenin the released position. When the attachment structure 100 is movedfrom the released position to the retained position, as shown in FIG.15, the flanges 104 slide substantially parallel to the front wall 108and into an overlapping arrangement with the retention members 110, suchthat the retention portions block the flanges 104 from moving out of theinsertion track 112 perpendicular to the front wall 108.

Referring back to FIG. 12, the front side of the attachment structure100 has a plurality of alignment tabs 114 projecting forwardly away fromthe free ends of the flanges 104. The attachment structure 100 also hasa central locking tab 116 projecting forwardly away from theintersection of the flanges 104. The mounting tray 102, shown in FIG.13, has a plurality of alignment slots 118 that receive the alignmenttabs 114 and maintain alignment of the attachment structure 100 withinthe insertion track 112 during movement between the released andretained positions. The mounting tray 102 also has a locking slot 120that receives the locking tab 116 therein when the attachment structure100 is positioned in the insertion track 112 and moved between theretained and released positions.

As seen in FIGS. 12, 13, and 16, the mounting tray 102 has a releasemechanism 122 attached to the mounting tray's front wall 108 oppositethe insertion track 112. The release mechanism 122 has a retention tab124 movably disposed in the locking slot 120 (FIG. 13) and configured toreleasably retain the attachment structure's locking tab 116 within thelocking slot 120 when the attachment structure is in the retainedposition. Accordingly, when the attachment structure 100 is in theretained position, the locking tab 116 is positioned at the top of thelocking slot 120 and the retention tab 124 is positioned in the bottomportion of the locking slot 120. This arrangement prevents theattachment structure 100 from sliding within the insertion track 112away from the retained position to the released position.

The release mechanism 122 of the illustrated embodiment, shown in FIG.16, is a resilient, trident-shaped member anchored at its top end 126 tothe front wall 108 away from the locking slot 120. Two resilient outerlegs 128 of the release mechanism 122 are attached to corner areas 130of the front wall 108. A center leg 132 of the release mechanism 122 ispositioned between the outer legs 128 and adjacent to the front wall108. The retention tab 124 projects rearwardly from approximately theintersection of the outer legs 128 and the center leg 132. The centerleg 132 can be moved forwardly away from the front wall 108. The outerlegs 128, however, resiliently bias the center leg 132 toward the frontwall 108, thereby removably retaining the retaining tab 124 in thelocking slot 120. The retaining tab 124 can be moved away from thelocking slot 120 and out of interference with the locking tab 116,thereby allowing the attachment structure 100 to move between thereleased and retained positions.

As seen in FIG. 13, the release mechanism 122 has a release button 134configured to press forwardly against the center leg 132, so as totemporarily move the retaining tab 124 out of the locking slot 120. Therelease button 134 is carried by the front wall 108 of the mounting tray102 adjacent to the bottom of the center leg 132. The release button 134is accessible from the rear side of the front wall 108 when theattachment structure 100 is secured in the mounting tray 102 in theretained position. The release button 134 is positioned to be pressed bya user, thereby pressing the release button 134 against the releasemechanism's center leg 132 and pushing the center lower leg 132 awayfrom the front wall 108. As the center leg 132 is pushed away from thefront wall 108, the retention tab 124 moves with the center leg 132 andis moved out of the locking slot 120. While the center leg 132 is pushedaway from the front wall 108, the resilient outer legs 128 remainattached to the corners of the front wall 108, so as to urge the centerleg 132 toward the front wall, thereby urging the retention tab 124toward the locking slot 120. When the retention tab 124 has moved out ofthe locking slot 120, the locking tab 116 is free to slide within thelocking tab, thereby allowing the attachment structure 100 to slidewithin the mounting tray 102 between the retained and releasedpositions. Accordingly, this configuration provides a quick disconnectfeature that allows the speaker or other mounted device carrying themounting tray 102 to be easily and quickly disconnected from theattachment structure 100 of the mounting assembly 10.

The quick disconnect feature allows interchangeability of speakers orother mounted devices that have similar mounting trays adapted toreceive the attachment structure 100 of the mounting assembly 10. Thequick disconnect feature also enables a user to remove the speaker orother mounted device from the mounting assembly 10 and adjust theangular orientation of the second mounting portion 24 relative to thefirst mounting portion 20, as discussed above, without having to wrestlewith the weight or shape of the mounted device during the adjustment.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from theinvention. Additionally, aspects of the invention described in thecontext of particular embodiments or examples may be combined oreliminated in other embodiments. Although advantages associated withcertain embodiments of the invention have been described in the contextof those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit suchadvantages. Additionally, not all embodiments need necessarily exhibitsuch advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable mounting assembly configured for coupling amounted device to a support structure, comprising: a first mountingportion having: a mounting member fixable to the support structure, anengagement arm adjustably connected to the mounting member and having alongitudinal axis, the engagement arm having a support portion spacedapart from the mounting member, the support portion having firstengagement members disposed about a first axis of rotation angularlyoffset from the longitudinal axis; an adjustment member movably attachedto the support portion of the engagement arm, wherein the adjustmentmember is rotatable relative to the support portion about the first axisof rotation, the adjustment member having second engagement membersdisposed about the first axis of rotation, the adjustment member havinga first locked position with the second engagement members intermeshedwith the first engagement members to retain the adjustment member in afirst pan-position relative to the support portion and to restrict theadjustment member from rotating relative to the support portion awayfrom the first pan-position, and a first released position wherein thefirst and second engagement members are adjacent to each other andpositioned to allow the adjustment member to rotate relative to thesupport portion about the first axis of rotation to a secondpan-position, the adjustment member having an arcuate first engagementportion facing away from the support portion and third engagementmembers disposed on the first engagement portion about a second axis ofrotation angularly offset from the first axis of rotation and thelongitudinal axis; and a second mounting portion coupleable to themounted device and having an attachment portion adjustably connected tothe first mounting portion, the attachment portion having an arcuatesecond engagement portion in mating arrangement with the firstengagement portion of the adjustment member, the attachment portionhaving fourth engagement members disposed on the second engagementportion about the second axis of rotation, the second mounting portionhaving a second locked position with the fourth engagement membersintermeshed with the third engagement members to restrict the secondengagement portion from moving about the second axis of rotationrelative to the first engagement portion, and a second released positionwherein the third and fourth engagement members are adjacent to eachother and positioned to allow the second engagement portion to rotaterelative to the first engagement portion about the second axis ofrotation; a locking device connected to the first and second mountingportions, the locking device releasably locking the third and fourthengagement members together with the second mounting portion in a firsttilt position relative to the first mounting portion, and restrictingthe second mounting portion from rotating relative to the first mountingportion about the second axis of rotation, the locking device beingmoveable to a released position that allows the second mounting portionto move about the second axis of rotation to a second tilt positionrelative to the first mounting portion; and a mounting tray removablyattachable to the mounted device and releasably attached to the secondmounting portion, wherein the mounting tray is separable from the secondmounting portion while the mounting tray remains attached to the mounteddevice, wherein the second mounting portion has an attachment platespaced apart from the attachment portion, and the mounting tray has aninsertion track that slidably receives the attachment plate, theattachment plate being moveable along the insertion track between aretained position with the attachment plate releasably captured in themounting tray, and a separation position with the attachment plate beingfree to separate from the mounting tray; and a retention memberconnected to the mounting tray and moveable relative to the mountingtray to releasably locking the attachment plate in the retained positionand to allow the attachment plate to move away from the retainedposition toward the separation position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1wherein the engagement arm is rotatable relative to the mounting memberabout a third axis of rotation different than the first and second axesof rotation.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising a secondlocking device connected to the mounting member and the engagement arm,the second locking device releasably restricting the engagement arm fromrotating about the third axis of rotation.
 4. The assembly of claim 1wherein the engagement arm is integrally attached to the mountingmember.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the engagement arm isrotationally adjustable relative to the mounting member about a thirdaxis of rotation substantially normal to the mounting member.
 6. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second engagement members areinterlockable teeth.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the firstengagement portion of the adjustment member has a partially spherical orcylindrical surface facing away from the support portion.
 8. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the first engagement members are disposed inat least a partially circular arrangement on a first planar surface ofthe support portion, and the second engagement members are disposed inat least a partially circular arrangement on a second planar surfacesubstantially parallel to the first planar surface.
 9. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the locking device releasably locks the first and secondengagement members together with the adjustment member in the firstlocked position.
 10. An adjustable mounting assembly configured forcoupling a mounted device to a support structure, comprising: a firstmounting portion having: a mounting member fixable to the supportstructure, an engagement arm connected to the mounting member and havinga longitudinal axis projecting from the mounting member, the engagementarm having an adjustable end portion spaced apart from the mountingmember, the end portion having a first portion with first engagementmembers disposed about a first axis of rotation angularly offset fromthe longitudinal axis, the end portion having an adjustable secondportion rotatable relative to the first portion about the first axis ofrotation, the second portion having second engagement members, thesecond portion having a first locked position with the second engagementmembers intermeshed with the first engagement members to retain thesecond portion in a first pan-position, and a first released positionwherein the first and second engagement members are adjacent to eachother and positioned to allow the second portion to rotate relative tothe first portion to a second pan-position, the second portion havingthird engagement members disposed about a second axis of rotationangularly offset from the first axis of rotation and the longitudinalaxis; and a second mounting portion coupleable to the mounted device andadjustably attached at an attachment portion to the first mountingportion, the attachment portion in mating arrangement with the secondportion of the end portion and having fourth engagement members disposedabout the second axis of rotation, the second mounting portion having asecond locked position with the fourth engagement members intermeshedwith the third engagement members, and a second released positionwherein the third and fourth engagement members are adjacent to eachother and positioned to allow the attachment portion to rotate relativeto the second portion of the end portion about the second axis ofrotation; wherein the engagement arm is rotatable relative to themounting member about a third axis of rotation oriented at a selectedangle relative to the mounting member; and a locking device connected tothe mounting member and the engagement arm, the locking devicereleasably restricting the engagement arm from rotating relative to themounting member.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising asecond locking device connected to the attachment portion of the secondmounting portion and the end portion of the engagement arm of the firstmounting member, the second locking device releasably locking the thirdand fourth engagement members together with the second mounting portionis a first tilt position relative to the first mounting portion, andrestricting the second mounting portion from rotating relative to thefirst mounting portion about the second axis of rotation, the secondlocking member being moveable to a released position that allows thesecond mounting portion to move about the second axis of rotation to asecond tilt position relative to the first mounting portion.
 12. Theassembly of claim 10, further comprising a second locking device coupledto the first and second portions, the second locking mechanismpositionable to releasably lock the second portion in the first lockedposition relative to the first portion.
 13. The assembly of claim 10wherein the first and second engagement members are interlockable teeth.14. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the second portion has a partiallyspherical or cylindrical surface facing away from the first portion, andthe third engagement members are disposed on the partially spherical orcylindrical surface.
 15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the firstengagement members are disposed in at least a partially circulararrangement on a first planar surface of the first portion, and thesecond engagement members are disposed in at least a partially circulararrangement on a second planar surface substantially parallel to thefirst planar surface.
 16. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the first andsecond axes of rotation are normal to each other.
 17. The assembly ofclaim 10, further comprising a mounting tray removably attachable to themounted device and releasably attached to the second mounting portion,wherein the mounting tray is separable from the second mounting portionwhile the mounting tray remains attached to the mounted device.
 18. Theassembly of claim 17 wherein second mounting portion has an attachmentplate spaced apart from the attachment portion, and the mounting trayhas an insertion track that slidably receives the attachment plate, theattachment plate being moveable along the insertion track between aretained position with the attachment plate releasably captured in themounting tray, and a separation position with the attachment plate beingfree to separate from the mounting tray.
 19. An audio or visualequipment mounting assembly, comprising: a first mounting portionhaving: a mounting member fixable to a support structure, an engagementarm connected to the mounting member and being rotatable about a firstaxis of rotation, the engagement arm having an intermediate portionprojecting away from the mounting member and a distal end portionconnected to the intermediate portion, the distal end portion havingfirst engagement members disposed about a second axis of rotationangularly offset from the first axis of rotation; and an adjustmentmember attached to the distal end portion, wherein the adjustment memberis rotatable relative to the distal end portion about the second axis ofrotation, the adjustment member having second engagement membersdisposed about the second axis of rotation and that mate with the firstengagement members, the adjustment member having a first locked positionwith the first and second engagement members intermeshed with each otherreleasably fixing the adjustment member in a first rotational positionand restricting the adjustment member from rotating about the secondaxis of rotation away from the first rotational position, and theadjustment member having a first released position wherein the first andsecond engagement members are positioned to allow the adjustment memberto rotate relative to the distal end portion about the second axis ofrotation to a second rotational position, the adjustment member havingan exterior surface facing away from the distal end portion and havingthird engagement members disposed in an arcuate pattern about a thirdaxis of rotation angularly offset from the first and second axes ofrotation; and a second mounting portion coupleable to the audio orvisual equipment and having an attachment portion adjustably attached tothe adjustment member of the first mounting portion, the attachmentportion having fourth engaging members disposed in an arcuate patternrelative to the third axis of rotation for mating with the thirdengagement members, the second mounting portion having a second lockedposition with the fourth engagement members intermeshed with the thirdengagement members to restrict the attachment portion from movingrelative to the adjustment member about the third axis of rotation, anda second released position wherein the third and fourth engagementmembers are adjacent to each other and positioned to allow theattachment portion to move relative to the adjustment member about thethird axis of rotation; and a first locking device connected to thesecond mounting portion and releasably securing the second mountingportion in the second locked position, the first locking device beingmoveable to an unlocked position that allows the second mounting portionto move about the third axis of rotation; wherein the engagement arm isrotatable relative to the mounting member about a third axis of rotationoriented at a selected angle relative to the mounting member: and asecond locking device connected to the mounting member and theengagement arm, the second locking device releasably restricting theengagement arm from rotating relative to the mounting member.
 20. Theassembly of claim 19 wherein the adjustment member has a partiallyspherical, convex surface and the third engagement members are disposedon the convex surface, and the attachment portion of the second mountingportion has a partially spherical, concave surface that receives theconvex surface of the adjustment member, and wherein the fourthengagement members are disposed on the concave surface in position tomate with the third engagement members.
 21. The assembly of claim 19wherein the adjustment member has a partially cylindrical, convexsurface and the third engagement members are disposed on the convexsurface, and the attachment portion of the second mounting portion has apartially cylindrical, concave surface that receives the convex surfaceof the adjustment member, and wherein the fourth engagement members aredisposed on the concave surface in position to mate with the thirdengagement members.
 22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the second axisof rotation is normal to the third axis of rotation.
 23. The assembly ofclaim 19 wherein the first engagement members are a first set of teethand the second engagement members are a second set of teethinterlockable with the first set of teeth.
 24. The assembly of claim 19,further comprising a mounting tray removably attachable to the mounteddevice and releasably attached to the second mounting portion, whereinthe mounting tray is separable from the second mounting portion whilethe mounting tray remains attached to the audio or visual equipment. 25.An adjustable mounting assembly configured for coupling a mounted deviceto a support structure, comprising: a first mounting portion having: amounting member fixable to the support structure or the mounted device,a support portion spaced apart from the mounting member and having firstengagement members disposed about a first axis of rotation; anadjustment member attached to the support portion and rotatable relativeto the support portion about the first axis of rotation, the adjustmentmember having second engagement members disposed about the first axis ofrotation, the adjustment member having a first locked position with thesecond engagement members intermeshed with the first engagement membersto retain the adjustment member in a first pan-position relative to thesupport portion and to restrict the adjustment member from rotating awayfrom the first pan-position, and a first released position wherein thefirst and second engagement members are positioned to allow theadjustment member to rotate relative to the support portion about thefirst axis of rotation to a second pan-position, the adjustment memberhaving a first engagement portion facing away from the support portionand third engagement members disposed on the first engagement portionabout a second axis of rotation angularly offset from the first axis ofrotation and the longitudinal axis; and a second mounting portion havingan attachment portion adjustably attached to the first mounting portion,the attachment portion having a second engagement portion in matingarrangement with the first engagement portion of the adjustment member,the attachment portion having fourth engagement members disposed on thesecond engagement portion about the second axis of rotation, the secondmounting portion having a second locked position with the fourthengagement members intermeshed with the third engagement members toretain the second mounting portion in a first tilt position relative tothe first mounting portion and to restrict the second engagement surfacefrom moving about the second axis of rotation away from the first tiltposition, and a second released position wherein the third and fourthengagement members are adjacent to each other and positioned to allowthe second engagement surface to rotate relative to the first engagementsurface about the second axis of rotation to a second tilt positionrelative to the first mounting portion; wherein the support portion isrotatable relative to the mounting member about a third axis of rotationoriented at a selected angle relative to the mounting member; and alocking device connected to the mounting member and the support portion,the locking device releasably restricting the support portion fromrotating relative to the mounting member.
 26. The assembly of claim 25,further comprising a second locking device connected to the first andsecond mounting portions and releasably locking the first and secondengagement members together and locking the third and fourth engagementmembers together, second the locking member being moveable to a releasedposition that allows the second mounting portion to move about the firstand second axes of rotation relative to the first mounting portion.